Colts can’t escape being connected to veteran quarterbacks

Jan 8, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walks off the field following the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walks off the field following the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the NFL offseason approaching, the Indianapolis Colts are constantly being connected to veteran quarterbacks that may be on the move.

Aaron Rodgers? Derek Carr? Jimmy Garappolo? Jameis Winston? What veteran quarterback will the Indianapolis Colts add this offseason? After picking up Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, and Philip Rivers in the last three offseasons, it has become an expectation for the Colts to give aging veterans another opportunity on a new team. Unfortunately, this practice hasn’t really worked out for Indianapolis, and that’s why Indy has been back on the market every year.

That includes this offseason. After trading for Matt Ryan just a year ago, Ryan’s future with Indy is in doubt. Ryan was benched twice in his first year with the Colts and ended up playing in just 12 games. In those games, Ryan completed 67% of his passes for 3,057 yards and 14 touchdowns and also had 13 interceptions and 15 fumbles. It’s extremely unlikely that this underwhelming season gets a sequel. So Indy is right back in the same spot.

This has led to the Colts being linked to just about every veteran quarterback that could be on the move, from Derek Carr, who the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to trade, to Jameis Winston. The latest QB Indy is being linked to is Aaron Rodgers, someone the Colts have been connected to a lot over the past two offseasons. The most recent instance involved Indy sending the No. 4 pick to the Green Bay Packers for Rodgers.

Not only should the Colts not trade the No. 4 overall pick, but they shouldn’t be seriously entertaining adding Rodgers, Carr, or any veteran QB to be the team’s starter.

Colts shouldn’t entertain Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, or any veteran quarterbacks

Acquiring Rodgers would be the worst QB move for Indianapolis because Indy isn’t really just a quarterback away. Additionally, Rodgers has very few years left in the NFL. It would make no sense to trade away the future for maybe one or two years of Aaron Rodgers. The bigger point in all of this is that it’s time for Indy to turn its eyes toward the future.

Indianapolis has played the veteran quarterback game the last three seasons out of necessity and that hasn’t gotten it anywhere far. With a top-four pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s time for the Colts to put all of their energy behind a rookie quarterback and set themselves up for the future.